But why not tell the “senior television news executive” that he or she has to be named or the quote will not be used? Or, how about telling us what network or channel they are a “senior television news executive” at, so we can judge?

The entire conversation, which also draws in a couple of other reporters, is fascinating. As is this quote from Times Executive Editor Jill Abramson, in a Q&A with Michael Kinsley: “Our standards call for not using ad hominem nor ad feminam anonymous quotes, so, we just—we don’t do that.”

A dismissal of a corporation’s commercial prospects probably doesn’t run afoul of those standards, but the question is worth considering. I asked Stelter if he had anything to add to his tweets but he told me he thought they covered his thoughts.

It’s never OK unless it comes to conservatives and Republicans, right Poynter? Where an ENTIRE group (eg. the Tea Party) can LITERALLY be branded as an entire group of ignorant bigots with literally ZERO actual evidence to back it up (except for….well, nothing)? Granted, Poynter isn’t nearly as despicably hypocritical on a regular basis like CJR, but I am left shaking my head on the regular. So, what exactly does any of this have to do with this piece here you ask? Nothing really…just tangentially related.